Letter 46 Commentary

Letter forty-six reveals Anna Howe’s feminist attitude and helps the reader compare Mr. Hickman’s characteristics to those of Lovelace.  Miss Howe shows off her superiority by bossing Hickman around.  He does whatever she says, and never stands up for himself.  She does not seem to think that she needs to get married, and does not seem to even want to.  She knows that her thoughts are not appropriate for girls her age, and tells Clarissa she must “chide her for it.”

Miss Howe also describes characteristics about Hickman, which can be used later on in the book to compare him to Lovelace.  She says he is “honest is of family:  has a clear and good estate; and may one day be a baronet.”  These are all things that a woman should be pleased with in a man, but Miss Howe still has no feelings for him.  If Lovelace had the same characteristics as Hickman, Clarissa’s family may not have objected to him.